The Cat Who Spent Nine Lives Saving Me Chapter 09
I hung a holly wreath on the door, then took them with me to finish my last few pet-sitting visits.
The first home had a British Shorthair who began following Domino around and sniffing him the moment he arrived.
[So you’re the boss around here? You smell like salmon.]
Domino shrieked and leaped onto a cabinet.
[Stay away from Cat! You’re male!]
The next home had an overly enthusiastic husky. He jumped on me and shouted, [Pretty lady! Stay and be my human!]
I pushed his face away. “You’d better just be expressing friendship.”
The strays at the warehouse also gathered around Domino to report that the fireworks at night had frightened them too badly to come outside.
[Those are holiday fireworks. When you hear them, hide in the insulated shelters and stay away from the road.]
Back at the shop, Sunny asked, [Humans spend Christmas with their families. Why aren’t you going home?]
Before I could answer, Domino rolled over and exposed his belly.
[If she leaves, what happens to us? Doesn’t spending the holiday with cats and dogs count as family?]
I buried my face in his belly and took a deep breath.
“Of course it does. Mom is going to cook now.”
I roasted a turkey and prepared unsalted meat and little fish especially for them. When the clock struck midnight, Domino ate his fish with elegant precision, Sunny worked solemnly on a chew, and I held a mug of hot cocoa.
“My babies, Mom loves you.”
[Cat loves Mom, too.]
[Dog does, too.]
As long as they were with me, I had a home.